Switzerland with Kids: Easier (and Better) Than You Think

Traveling Switzerland with babies, toddlers, kids, or teens sounds exhausting.

Trains, buses, boats, cable cars. Strollers. Luggage. Nap. Restaurants. Bathrooms. *sigh* 

But after living here since 2023, and now raising a toddler here, we’ve realized that Switzerland might actually be the easiest country in the world to travel with kids. 

• Kids ride transportation for free.
• Playgrounds are everywhere.
• Restaurants often have toy corners.
• Public bathrooms are shockingly clean.
• And it’s one of the safest countries in the world.

So today we’re answering your biggest questions about traveling Switzerland as a family, because it really is easier and better than you think!

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Riding Swiss Transportation doesn’t have to be stressful.

When I was pregnant, I worried about how I would handle taking our child on transportation since we don’t own a car. But today, when we ask our son what he wants to do in the morning, he almost always says “bus” or “cable car” or “choo choo.” Because there is some kind of magical connection between little boys and vehicles. But as parents, the thought of long train rides or closed-in cable cars with your kids might make you sweat with fear. 

So let’s set your mind at ease right away:

Transportation isn’t just how you get around Switzerland. For most kids, it’s one of the attractions.

Q1: Will riding public transport stress out our whole family?

First, it’s shockingly easy to navigate thanks to the SBB App, which is essentially like Google Maps but for Swiss transportation. Even your 10-year old could probably figure it out. We include a full tutorial (with pictures) on how to use the SBB Mobile App in our Ultimate Guide to Swiss Transportation.

But beyond navigation, the ride is part of the fun. For example, check out this playground on a train. So cool, right? The longer distance trains, like to and from the airport, have a slide and tunnels and bridges built for tiny passengers. And often the tray tables are game boards too.

Our biggest advice for families, whether you have babies or teens, is to sit in the family carriage. It’s easy to find because you’ll see the teddy bear icon on the SBB app or on the station platform screens. And here, it’s acceptable for kids to cry and laugh and jump and play and to just be kids! Even rambunctious teens are allowed. 

And a few more practical tips about trains:

• The family carriage is usually, but not always, level with the station platform, making it easy to board with strollers and suitcases.
• The bathroom in this section should have a changing table. 
• There’s more room to park strollers.
• You’ll almost always meet other kids and families to play with.
• And sometimes the nearby restaurant car has kids meals, snacks, and coloring pages.

Okay, but what about other forms of transport besides trains? Build it up as part of the experience and allow it to be a form of entertainment for your kiddos. Snag a window seat on a gondola, ride on top of the cable car, sit in the front of the boat, or board the open-air carriage on a funicular. Engage their imagination with easy games like Eye Spy or see how many cows you can count.

And so many Swiss rides have some sort of accolade, like steepest or longest or fastest, which older kids might also find interesting.

Q2: Are there kids train passes that won’t break my budget?

Kids under 6 always travel for free on transportation in Switzerland. And kids 6 to 15 years old can also travel for free with the Swiss Family Card, which is complimentary when the parents purchase a Swiss Travel Pass or Swiss Half Fare Card. 

There are also kids versions of many of the regional passes such as the Jungfrau Travel Pass, Berner Oberland Pass, and Lucerne Travel Pass, which are a flat rate of 30 CHF for kids 6–15. 

And while the best deals end once your kids turn 16, there are still a few youth passes available. The Swiss Travel Pass Youth and Berner Oberland Pass for 16–24 years old are 30% cheaper than the adult passes. And the Eurail or Interrail Passes are discounted until you turn 28.

Q3: How, where, and when do I buy tickets for my family?

And when it comes to purchasing passes and tickets, it’s really simple: 

• 1) Purchase your train passes online so you have a digital copy before you even set foot in Switzerland
• 2) Mom and Dad can store the PDF with each person’s train pass on each of their phones.
• 3) And when tickets are required, one parent can buy everyone’s tickets on the SBB app.
• 4a) Then, when the train staff comes by it’s easy to show them everyone’s tickets and passes.
• 4b) Or for most mountain transport, one parent can scan them all at the turnstile as your family enters one-by-one. Simple as that!

And if our son could add something to this post, he’d want your kids to know that they can get their own paper “ticket.” When you’re on trains and boats and buses, ask the staff for a cute, free paper ticket which your kids can proudly show to the staff and get it punched every time they take a ride!

Q4: How do I juggle kids and luggage?

But hang on, what about all your stuff, like luggage and strollers? Remember that those family carriages on trains have more room for that. But unless you have a car — more on that in a moment — you’ll need to be able to carry everything yourselves. Or use the SBB Luggage Shipping Services. 

We use this every year when we fly to and from the USA and it is so handy for large suitcases. There are a few options, including delivery straight to your door or hotel, and you can check them all out here. 

We’ll talk about packing later too, so let’s move on to strollers.

Q5: Can (or should?!) we bring a stroller?

We get asked this question all of the time! If you’d like to have a stroller with you, then we suggest bringing one — especially if your child naps well in it!

If possible, bring a stroller that can handle cobblestones or even fine gravel. This makes it easy to go pretty much anywhere in cities, towns, and villages, and even on the stroller-friendly gravel paths. 

But try to bring a stroller that is narrow or compact. You might need it to fit down a train aisle or be easily collapsed to board a gondola, and sometimes you’ll have to lift it up a step or 2 onto a bus. 

Lastly, here’s a super practical tip: When you’re in train stations and even in the cities, follow the handicap signs to find ramps and elevators. We never had to do this before we had a baby because we’d just carry our luggage on the stairs. But Switzerland is one of the most handicap accessible places we’ve ever been, which means we’ve rarely been stuck having to carry our stroller somewhere. 

Q6: Is renting a car easier and less stressful?

If you require a lot of gear, having a car might sound practical. And if you’re going to destinations that are less-accessible by train, then maybe that’s a good idea. But keep these things in mind:

• Most cars and roads in Europe are smaller than in the USA. So a big minivan or SUV will be more expensive and will feel bigger on the streets. On the contrary, smaller cars may not hold as much luggage as you expect.
• You almost always have to pay for parking. Even at some grocery stores. But nowadays they accept cash, credit cards, or payment via an app like Parking Pay or EasyPark. 
• You cannot drive to most mountain destinations in Switzerland. For example, you can drive to Interlaken and Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen, but you cannot drive to Harder Kulm, Grindelwald First, or Wengen.
• You can rent car seats. While you could bring yours along from home, there are different safety restrictions in various countries so be sure that yours fits the Swiss requirements. 

Hopefully you’re already feeling more confident about navigating Swiss transportation with your kids. Really our goal in this section was to show you that it’s easier than you might assume. But we know you probably still have more questions. 

So when it’s time to actually step foot on your first train, bus, cable car, etc., we have tons of practical resources to help you, like more YouTube videos, a complete PDF guide, and even some free resources. We’ll be sure to link all of those for you below.

Why your kids won’t be bored in Switzerland

When you’re living out of suitcases with limited access to toys or technology, you might be afraid that your kids will be bored out of their minds in Switzerland. 

We won’t delve into our philosophy on boredom. But if you’re willing to incorporate family friendly activities into your itinerary, then you don’t have to worry about your kids being bored. 

Q1: Are there playgrounds?

I tried to find out how many playgrounds there are in Switzerland, but I couldn’t find an exact number. And I kind of wonder if that’s because there are too many to count! For context, there are more than 200 in Zürich alone!

We have traveled all over Europe and nowhere has as many playgrounds as we’ve seen in Switzerland. It seems like every mountain top, lakefront park, and city center has a designated place for your children. 

That means your little ones and teens get to have fun and burn off some energy while Mom and Dad rest on a bench and finally get to just soak in the views. Oh, and they’re completely free, which means more money to spend on other things, like Swiss chocolate. 

Before we mention our favorite playgrounds, let’s make a quick mention of jet lag. Because it’s a real struggle. Maybe your kids will do better than you think, or maybe it’s harder on you than you thought it would be. Our advice is simple: don’t over-schedule your first few days, and build in lots of time outside, like on playgrounds.

My favorites are the cow-themed one at Männlichen, the lakeside playground at Trübsee below Titlis, and the one at Leisee in Zermatt. Brett loves the flower playground at Allmendhubel, too. If you’re following one of our Swiss Travel Guides, we always mention the playgrounds so you can work those into your itinerary. 

An insider tip is to search PlayMap.ch near your destination to see what pops up for both indoor and outdoor playgrounds.

And another hint, especially if you’re looking to save some money, is that the best playgrounds and family areas in the mountains are typically at the lower stops on a cable car or train line. For example, Bort is the lowest of three stops along the cable car line to Grindelwald First. But it’s a fantastic place for families to hang out and is much cheaper than riding all the way to First.

Q2: Will I have to drag my kids along on hikes?

But it gets even better than letting your kids run around while you admire the views. Because there are also a ton of kids trails. 

These are often easy, themed hikes with stations along the way that make it enjoyable for families to hit the trails together. Ball runs are super common, where you watch your wooden ball go through tunnels and over water. So are treasure hunts where your kids earn a prize at the end of the trail. And you’ll often learn along the way with themed trails about goats, apple fritters, gnomes, cheese, and more.

Find these trails by asking at the tourist office or your hotel, or learn about them in each of our Swiss Travel Guides.

Q3: Can we actually enjoy a hike without whining and meltdowns?

Here are a few more tips about hiking with kids:

• Follow the white signs with a stroller icon for paved or fine-gravel stroller-friendly paths.
• Yellow trail signs are the easiest paths, and can be walked in normal tennis shoes. These are fine for toddlers and young kids
• Red and white are designated standard mountain hiking trails. Many kids, especially older ones, should be able to walk these, but note they’ll often include more elevation change, rocks or roots, and maybe even some exposure.
• Finally, invest in a good carrier for babies and toddlers. We’ve clocked hundreds of miles with our Ergobaby Omni 360, and have just started using the Osprey Poco Lite for longer hikes as well. They’re pricey but absolutely worth the investment!
• Don’t forget your hat, sunscreen, and warmer layers in case the weather changes.
• Pack snacks and stop often. In addition to the stations along kids trails, there are often restaurants or self-service farm shops or benches along the way.
• In fact, we can’t stress enough having proper expectations. I probably wouldn’t enjoy sitting in a carrier for 3 hours straight, and maybe your kids won’t either. So as often as possible, we plan stopping points into our hikes every 45 to 60 minutes so our son has a chance to roam around.
• And if your little one sleeps well in a carrier or backpack, do your hiking while they’re napping! If your child doesn’t have much experience in a stroller, carrier, or hiking backpack, it’s probably a good idea to practice before your trip!

Travel Switzerland with Confidence

If you’re already feeling more confident about your Swiss family vacation, join our weekly newsletter! Every Saturday we share insider tips and tricks we learned after over a decade of traveling (and now living) in Switzerland.

As parents of a toddler, we have learned a lot over the last year. In fact, we often find that parenting is easier and more enjoyable for our whole family when we’re out and about exploring Switzerland than when we are at home!

Why Swiss restaurants don’t feel overwhelming for families

What’s worse: waiting 30 minutes for your meal to arrive in a restaurant with whiny kids, or watching your kids throw food on the floor while you’re trying to get them to consume something reasonably healthy? 

We don’t need to pick, they’re both miserable. But Swiss restaurants often make it easy for your family with a kid’s toy corner or a playground beside your table on the terrace. Translation: going to a restaurant with kids isn’t so hard anymore!

Q1: Are there kids menus for my picky eaters?

The kid’s menu is pretty standard, with chicken and spaghetti and hot dogs, that kind of thing. And if your kids have allergies, be sure to talk to the waiter or chef. When our son was little, he couldn’t eat any cow-milk products like butter or cheese. (I know, not very Swiss, right?!) But it was pretty simple for the chef to cook something in oil instead of butter or to omit the cheese. 

As for drinks, sirop is popular. It’s a juice concentrate in fruity or floral flavors that most kids love. Brett loves mint and I like elderflower. Apfelschorle is a lightly carbonated apple juice, and you’ll find water, fruit juice, and soda as well. And Rivella is a very Swiss soda made with…well, you just need to try it first.

And pro tip if your kids are budding coffee snobs like Brett: order a babyccino, which is just steamed milk, often with a chocolate smiley face on top.

Q2: Is it daunting to eat in a restaurant with kids?

From one parent to another, our restaurant tips are simple:

• Not all restaurants are family-friendly, but compared to many countries, it seems like the Swiss just expect kids to be there.
• Pick a table on the terrace and let your kids play on the playground while you wait for your food. 
• And if you need something, just ask. We’ve asked for a high chair, changing table, kids spoon, basket of bread, and table umbrella. Most of the time, they’re more than happy to help!

In particular, don’t be afraid to ask for a changing table. Often they’re in a separate handicap bathroom or upstairs near the hotel rooms or on another floor by a banquet room. 

You don’t have to pack your whole house in a suitcase

The first year of our son’s life, we spent a quarter of the year traveling. And most of those trips we overpacked worrying about bringing every possible thing from diapers and clothes to snacks and medicine. But here’s some good — and easy — news…

Q1: Should I bring everything we need, or can I buy it there?

It’s easy to overpack but you don’t need to. Switzerland has everything you and your kids will need. Diapers, wipes, formula, clothes, snacks, sunscreen, etc. Even pasta, french fries, and chicken nuggets. 

It might be more expensive, but you will be able to find it.

Grocery stores, like Coop and Migros will have the essentials. Even shops like Aldi and Lidl and Volg have kids’ supplies. 

And nearly all lodging provides baby beds or kids cots too, you just need to ask for these in advance.

Of course if you have a specific product like a highly hypoallergenic formula or special diaper cream, then you should probably bring that along. But don’t pack generic stuff like wipes or snacks.

Q2: What about medicine or doctor’s visits? 

If you need some sort of medicine though, head to a pharmacy first since many things are available over the counter. And even if your kid catches a little cold or has a bug bite, a pharmacist can often help find something without you needing to visit a doctor. 

We think travel insurance with emergency health coverage is worth the peace of mind. If your child (or you!) does get sick and needs to see a doctor, you can head to a walk-in clinic or hospital, and most policies will reimburse the expenses as long as you follow their procedures. But if possible, save a trip to the Emergency Room for actual emergencies. 

Switzerland is clean and safe, and the Swiss are friendly

When our son was little, I was so anxious that he would cry uncontrollably on a crowded bus and I wouldn’t be able to soothe him, or that he’d be fussy and disturb other people in a restaurant. Maybe you’re worried that your hyper kid will be bouncing off the walls of a cable car or your teens will be rambunctious on a peaceful hiking trail. 

How are the people around you going to react? And even more so, how will your kids behave with jet lag and full days and new foods and a different bed and all of those normal vacation things which are not at all a normal part of your daily life?!

Well, Switzerland tops the charts as third safest, ninth cleanest, tenth happiest, and eighteenth friendliest country in the world — once again showing how easy it is to travel here as a family.

Q1: Is Switzerland clean?

First, Switzerland is so clean. And other than smelling nice, here’s what that means for your family vacation: 

• Clean public bathrooms 
• Pure drinking water right from the tap or fountain 
• Walkable towns and cities any time of day or night
• And overall trust that the Swiss want your kids to be happy.

Q2: Are the Swiss friendly toward kids (especially during a tantrum)? 

We find the Swiss to be so kind and genuinely friendly, although more reserved than our American friends. Our son has had meltdowns on trains, and a nice elderly couple will play with him or show them their hat or let him touch their hiking poles. 

He has cried in restaurants, and other people often come up and talk to him or give him a high 5.

And when we’re on a playground, almost everyone who walks by can’t help but smile at all of the little ones running around. 

So yeah, meltdowns will happen. But do your best as a parent to stay calm and comfort your child and there’s a good chance the Swiss are on your team too.

Q3: Is Switzerland safe for my little ones?

Switzerland is also one of the safest countries in the world with extremely low crime rates and an overall culture that respects the rules and looks out for kids.

For me, I feel safe hiking alone with our son. We aren’t worried when we’re exploring a big city like Zürich. I don’t have to hover over my kid at the playground. And as a tourist, your biggest worry is really just looking out for pickpockets. That means you have more mental capacity to genuinely enjoy your Swiss vacation.

Where to go in Switzerland as a family

But there’s something else really unique about Switzerland, beyond the fact that traveling here as a family is easier and better than you think. 

The culture and the destinations encourage you to be together as a family. You can sit together on trains. You can picnic together at a playground or walk together on a trail. There’s more space and more margin and honestly a lot more peace. We’ve observed that kids are really happy to be here, and therefore so are parents. And that’s a recipe for a memorable family vacation. 

So if you’re wondering where you should visit with your family, read this trip planning guide because every region we recommend is great for your entire family. And we’ll see you — and your kids — in Switzerland.